Craft Beer
If you’re interested in the craft beer movement and if you’re particularly interested in how breweries in the South Jersey region are faring, you need to read this piece by Matt Skoufalos of NJ Pen. Skoufalos attended a gathering of the Garden State Craft Brewers’ Guild in Oaklyn earlier this week and covered the growing trade organization’s bid to push back against some of the state’s red tape. while growing a community that will “play nice” with other special interest groups and providing a support network to its members. Also, there’s the inside scoop on a new nanobrewery planned for downtown Haddonfield that could help bring some new visitors into the town.
Bail Changes
You might have heard a lot of talk about bail reform since it went into effect on Jan. 1 but it’s been hard to figure out what, exactly, is going on. This piece via the NYTimes takes a deep look into just how radical the change has been, with cash bail pretty much eliminated. “Bail is still an option, but the reality is that judges have nearly done away with it. In the 3,382 cases statewide that were processed in the first four weeks of January, judges set bail only three times. An additional 283 defendants were held without bail because they were accused of a serious crime or were a significant flight risk, or both.”
Atlantic City Art
Someone – using the hashtag #ACANONYMOUS – has been going around stapling scenic images of Atlantic City in the place of boarded-up windows, signs and abandoned buildings. We got a call from the artist and learned a little more about the project to guerilla-beautify Atlantic City – read our story here.
Click here to get the Route 40 Roundup direct to your email inbox each weekday.
The rest of today’s headlines include news on a march along the route of the proposed South Jersey Gas pipeline, a project for state-wide data transparency and the snow forecast for tomorrow – all that and more below.
Miss America Organization Announces Foundation Scholarship Winners–The Miss America Organization announced Tuesday four recipients of Miss America Foundation scholarships. Press of Atlantic City
Profile: Jason Howell, Protecting the Pinelands Against All Comers–The stewardship coordinator for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance doesn’t rule out ‘direct action’ for protecting this preserve. www.njspotlight.com
Opponents March Along Route of Proposed South Jersey Gas Pipeline–Opponents of a proposed natural gas pipeline to the B.L. England power plant rallied at the Beesley’s Point beach Saturday, Feb 4 and later marched along Route 50 through Tuckahoe, calling for the New Jersey Pinelands Commission to reject a South Jersey Gas application to build the pipeline from Millville to Upper Township. They shouted slogans like “Water is sacred” and “Pinelands, not Pipelands” in the chilly morning, and held homemade signs against the pipeline – one with a drawing of a frog saying “I’d rather rest my pads on pines not pipes.” Shore News Today
Bolstered by Expansion, Jersey Craft Brewing Primes for Growth, Seeks to Shed Regs–In the past five years, craft brewing in New Jersey has accelerated exponentially, largely due to a legislative change that removed production caps and allowed brewers to introduce customers to their products at onsite tasting rooms. NJ PEN
Troopers meet baby they helped deliver in parking lot–New Jersey State Police troopers got to see Ka'naih Williams, who they helped deliver in a barracks parking lot on Jan. 19. NJ.com
High school students stage sit-in over racism concerns–HARRISON TWP. — About 100 Clearview Regional High School students held a peaceful sit-in Monday to protest what they describe as racism at their school. NJ.com
One-Stop Online Source for All Data to Make Government in NJ More Transparent–Gov. Chris Christie on Monday signed into law a measure that will increase the transparency and accountability of state agencies by making it easier for the public to find and get data and other information kept by the state government — all at one central online location. www.njspotlight.com
Opinion: Anticipating the 2018 Statewide Water Supply Plan–Over the past 10 years, much has been written about New Jersey’s need for a new statewide water supply plan. www.njspotlight.com
New Jersey Alters Its Bail System and Upends Legal Landscape–PATERSON, N.J. — Jamie Contrano squirmed at the defendant’s table inside the Passaic County Court House here. She had been charged with possessing four envelopes of heroin, and, having failed to show up for more than a dozen court appearances over the years, she was a perfect candidate for a high bail — and a lengthy jail stay. www.nytimes.com
Animal rescues in South Jersey attempt to rehab animals great and small–Jamie Castano never thought he’d own an animal rescue. Press of Atlantic City
Snow likely Thursday morning, though heaviest stays north and west–Winter storm watches have been posted for most of New Jersey, but not for Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties. A watch indicates the best potential for five inches or more of snow. Press of Atlantic City